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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Three Dodgers' prospects make BA's Top 20 Pioneer League list

Baseball America is in full postseason Top 20 lists, with
the publication releasing its Pioneer League Top 20 prospects on Wednesday. To
my surprise, the Dodgers landed three players on the list, including two in the
Top 10.

I’m surprised Bird ranked so highly after he had a rough go
at it in the Midwest League to begin the season. Bird didn’t fare much better
with the demotion, but he did reduce his walk rate and increased his strikeout
rate. It’ll be interesting to see if he can do it in full-season ball next
year. Luckily, he’s only entering his age-19 season, so there’s still hope for
the young hurler.

Scavuzzo might just be the Dodgers’ breakout prospect at the
plate. The 19-year-old clubbed 14 home runs and 18 doubles in 266 plate
appearances with the Ogden Raptors. Yes, it was in the friendly confines of the
Pioneer League, but he showed marked improvement from his debut season in the
Arizona League. In fact, his slugging percentage this season (.578) was nearly
better than his OPS in the AZL last year (.598). Also, his walk rate improved
this season. He didn’t walk in his first 80 plate appearances. He hit .325 and
OPS’d 1.013 in that time. Over his final 43 games, he walked 17 times in 186
plate appearances. He stopped hitting as well (.299), but his on-base percentage
was a respectable .360. He should be the Loons’ starting center fielder in
2014.

Barlow, who missed the entire 2012 season after recovering
from Tommy John surgery, surprisingly cracked the Top 20. I know it isn’t about
results in rookie ball, but that 6.20 ERA is quite ugly. Still, the 20-year-old
has a bright future. The scouting reports must be favorable for him to be on
this list with those numbers. The true test will come next season when he,
likely, will head the Loons’ rotation -- unless Julio Urias returns to Great
Lakes to begin the season.

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The Midwest League Top 20 list drops on Tuesday. The Dodgers have at
least two shoo-ins, but could have as
many as four prospects in the league’s top 20.